Arts & Museums

Less than ten minutes south of the busy downtown district is a poignant reminder of life as it was in the 18th and 19th centuries. Farming was a way of life for early settlers in middle Tennessee, and Tennessee Agricultural Museum features a host of artifacts and farming implements. The renovated horse barn contains over 2,500 items on display, tracing the history of pioneer families. Special activities for children make this a true hands-on educational experience. Butter churning, corn shelling, quilting and story telling bring youngsters into the action and provide hours of fun and learning for all ages.

Step back into time as costumed docents take you on a guided tour of life as it was in the 1800s. Stroll through the lovely boxwood garden and view the plantation outbuildings. Special exhibits and events, such as "Celtic Music Festival" and "Heirloom Quilts" are scheduled throughout the year. The Peach Orchard Gift Shop offers a variety of mementos. Space is also available to rent for group gatherings.

Just outside of Nashville is this small reconstruction of a pioneer settlement. It was from this settlement that the city of Murfreesboro grew. Named after the first Whig governor of Tennessee, Cannonsburgh Village features log homes, a gristmill, schoolhouse, town hall, blacksmith's shop, church and museum. Inside, each building looks as it did in the early 1800s. The camp is open to the public year round, and school groups and tours are welcome. If you come in July, you can enjoy the weekend long festival of music and hand made crafts known as Uncle Dave Macon Days.

Artists from around the country present their work at this visual and performing arts venue, which is located just 30 minutes east of downtown Nashville. The Center for Arts is part of the beautiful Carnegie Library, and consists of a large gallery and auditorium. Regular programs, such as changing art exhibits and musical performances, run throughout the year. A range of theater productions and children's workshops occur from time to time.

The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is a hands-on interactive museum that engages its visitors in every way possible. The Center began as a Children's Museum in 1986, and has come a long way since its birth. It also operates as a nature center. The exhibits being interactive provide a great scope of learning and acquiring knowledge.

The Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is a beautiful observatory located in Brentwood. This fantastic observatory is a great place to get your kids along, so that they can learn more about Space and Astronomy. This place is sure to interest them in taking up Science and Engineering later on in their careers. The Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory also features a well-equipped Library and a Computer Center where students can learn about telescopes and Space Exploration. Also used as a Venue, some famous artists including the likes of Marshall Chapman, Jeff Hanna, Chuck Cannon and Judy Collins have performed here.

Established in 2002, the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville began with the donation of 70 vehicles from avid car enthusiast, Jeff Lane. Since its inception, the LMM has come to acquire over 300 unique and rare automobiles to the delight of visitors. Housed in the former Sunbeam Bakery, this large, 40,000 foot warehouse perfectly showcases one-of-a-kind vehicles like a 1975 Maserati Bora which can go 0-60mph within six and a half seconds and tops out at 165mph. The indoor kid's play area is a great distraction for the little ones while parents enjoy looking around.

Travel back in time in a fully restored 1950's passenger train. The passenger cars feature large picture windows, air conditioning and reclining seats. Themes like train robbery or murder mystery are a surprising part of the excursion. The museum houses a one-of-a-kind library of books on railroads and one of the largest collections of railroad artifacts in the world.

Twenty years ago, Carol Stein decided to give a few local artists a chance to showcase their talents. She financed a small exhibit of paintings, and the community responded enthusiastically. Today, her exhibits feature both emerging and nationally recognized artists and draw thousands of people to Cumberland Gallery. The exhibits change every month and range from paintings, sculpture, photography and other forms of fine and contemporary art. Contact the gallery by phone or e-mail for upcoming exhibits.

The thrill of scientific discovery awaits you! Come explore over 150 interactive exhibits and programs for children and adults. View the heavens from the 40-foot Sudekum Planetarium. Climb seven interactive levels to the top of the Adventure Tower, and experience BodyQuest, an exciting tour through the human body. Special programs are offered for high school students on weekend nights.

Mike and Ann Borum have spent more than a decade providing Nashville's photographers with quality photo processing. Now, they display the art of photography for all to see in the upper level of their shop. Chromatics PhotoImaging features photographic works by local professionals. Rotating exhibits throughout the year feature cityscapes, celebrity shots and historic images of locations around Music City. Admission is free, and photography lovers of all ages are welcome.

Possibly the five bloodiest hours of America's Civil War took place here at the Battle of Franklin. On November 30, 1864, Carnton was occupied by Confederate troops moving toward the well-entrenched Federal army. A devastating battle ensued. Later, the mansion housed hundreds of the more than 6,000 Confederate casualties from that battle. Adjacent to the property is the largest private Confederate cemetery in America.